Friday, January 11, 2013 5:28:43 PM@5cats: The worst thing is, it probably died in vain. That eagle will have got 500 yards before deciding that it tasted like a bin, then dropped it and gone off to look for a 'more 'normal'-tasting rodent! :p

Friday, January 11, 2013 5:04:43 PM@MacGuffin: I've been getting squirrels in my attic now and then (need new roof: $5,000+) and trapping them. Got one last week. I feel bad about taking it out to the country (forrested area) and letting it go in winter, but even if a fox or owl eats it? It's better than just killing it, right?

So while I feel bad for the prey, the preditor is very happy!

I read a sci-fi story of a telepathic animal hunting it's prey. They were debating the merits of one not killing & eating the other. "I have a spouse, a family!" said the prey. "I have 3 kittens" said the preditor "Which one should die of hunger because I let you live?"

Friday, January 11, 2013 3:36:13 PMFirst...wasn't that a shrew? Second :(

It's alright, don't panic. I saw this the other week where there was a viral video going round of a toddler apparently being 'snatch' by an eagle, only it turned out to be CGI. That mouse is alive and well as we speak, and is the toast of the Stunt Mouse Union for his fine acting.

Friday, January 11, 2013 3:07:21 PMLOL @5cats. Are you on 'uppers' right now, by any chance? I ask because I think that's the cheeriest, most "silver lining-y" thing I've ever heard you say about something that's meant to be quite sad. The inappropriate chipperness of what you said reminds me of when I was given morphine a few years back: everything suddenly seemed really positive and life-affirming, even the bad stuff!